“Writing is a lonely job—but the moment a stranger connects with my words, the silence feels sacred.”
1. What was the turning point that led you to choose writing as a full-time career?
I actually consider myself a part-time author, and choosing writing wasn’t some earth-shattering decision. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and even as a student, I won several essay competitions. So, regardless of what I chose to do—or not do—I knew reading and writing would always be integral to my life. That hasn’t changed. I enjoy exploring various paths, whether it's Bharatanatyam, yoga, teaching, or public speaking. But through it all, writing has been my constant companion—and I wouldn't have it any other way.
2. How has your writing evolved since your debut book, Arjuna?
There’s definitely been growth and evolution in my writing, though the passion I pour onto the page has remained constant. I like to believe I’ve become smarter in the way I work and definitely more patient. Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust the process and be kinder to myself—especially when I hit writer’s block or feel uninspired. And when all else fails, there’s always chocolate, horror films, or coffee with a friend.
3. Do you write with a specific audience in mind, or do you let the story guide you?
I write primarily for myself. But a key part of the writing process involves setting aside the "I, Me, Myself" and allowing the story to take the lead. I surrender to it fully and let it take me wherever it wants to go.
4. What’s a common myth or character that you think people often misunderstand?
One common misconception is the tendency to oversimplify myths—reducing them to binaries like good vs. evil. In truth, mythology contains the distilled wisdom of ages, preserved through generations in the cultural soil. Even the simplest stories have hidden depths. Understanding their true meaning is a beautiful journey—one that can’t be rushed or shaped by personal or societal biases. The rewards are immense for those who genuinely love and live for these stories. I feel blessed to be among them.
5. How do you handle criticism or conflicting reviews of your work?
I welcome criticism and always appreciate thoughtful feedback. Many of my readers are wonderful people who take the time to write detailed reviews after closely engaging with my work, and I love connecting with them. Writing can be a lonely pursuit, so forming bonds with fellow lovers of the written word is a gift. That said, trolling is an entirely different matter—I refuse to engage with or make space for hate and bad manners in my life.
6. Which book challenged you the most creatively—and why?
Shakti: The Divine Feminine was incredibly complex, both in conception and execution, and I’ll go to my grave proud of how it turned out. Mohini: The Enchantress and The Wife and the Dancing Girl also demanded a great deal from me. Abhimanyu was especially gut-wrenching—I’ve never cried so much over a character. Honestly, all my books have been challenging in their own way, and I consider each of them priceless treasures for which I’m eternally grateful.
7. What’s your writing routine like on a good day?
On a good day, the words pour out in a torrent—it’s deeply satisfying to surrender to that flow. It feels effortless, but that’s only possible because of a strong foundation built from previous effort. There are more difficult days than easy ones—or at least it feels that way—but you learn to take the bitter with the sweet and keep going.
8. How do you see the role of mythology in today’s fast-paced world?
There will always be room for myth and magic in the world. People turn to mythology for comfort, spiritual insight, solutions to complex problems, nostalgia, or even pure entertainment. The reason doesn’t matter—these stories are part of our collective consciousness, and they’ll endure long after we’re gone.
9. If you could have tea with any mythological character, who would it be—and what would you talk about?
Arjuna and Krishna—without question. They’re my eternal favorites. Honestly, I’d be happy just listening to them speak, about anything, for all of time and whatever comes after.
Bio:
Anuja Chandramouli is a bestselling author and new age Indian classicist widely regarded as one of the finest writers in mythology, historical fiction and fantasy. She followed up her highly acclaimed debut novel, Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince, which was named as one of the top 5 sellers in the Indian writing category for the year 2012 by Amazon India with Kamadeva: The God of Desire, Shakti: The Divine Feminine, Yama’s Lieutenant and its sequel, Yama’s Lieutenant and the Stone Witch. Her articles, short stories and book reviews appear in various publications like The New Indian Express, The Hindu, Scroll.in and Femina. Some of her other books are Kartikeya: The Destroyer’s Son, Prithviraj Chauhan: The Emperor of Hearts, Padmavati: The Burning Queen, Ganga: The Constant Goddess and Muhammad Bin Tughlaq: Tale of a Tyrant. Her book, Mohini: The Enchantress was the winner of the JK Papers and Times of India Popular Choice AutHer award for the year 2021. She was also awarded the Ela Bhatt Woman Achiever Award by American College, Madurai. Her books are also available as audiobooks and have been translated into Hindi. Abhimanyu: Son of Arjuna has been shortlisted for the Atta Galatta – Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize. Her latest books are Girl Talk and The Wife and the Dancing Queen.
An accomplished TEDx speaker and storyteller, Anuja Chandramouli, regularly conducts workshops on creative writing, mythology and empowerment in schools and colleges across the country. Her Mahabharata and Ramayana with Anuja storytelling series is now available on YouTube, Spotify, TuneIn Alexa, Apple Podcasts. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. This mother of two little girls lives in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
Interviewed by: Niyati Gupta
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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